Ensure You are Welcome

If a community expresses interest in collaboration, accept their invitation to collaborate or request one if a formal invitation has not been extended. Just as you wouldn’t move into someone’s home uninvited, you should not move into a community without their permission. This invitation is an important step that fosters mutual respect and understanding. If overlooked or assumed, it can damage relationships and sabotage the best intentions.

Make sure people are inviting you in. Don’t just assume people want you to come and help them. Have a lot of conversations and when they’re ready and they ask you, then formalize that request.